Remote Rain Forest Expedition Finds 60 New Species

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Remote Rain Forest Expedition Finds 60 New Species

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Cocoa Frog Flashes Big Peepers

The "cocoa" frog uses spherically tipped fingers and toes to move adroitly through the trees of its remote forest home. The frog likely belongs to one of 60 animal species recently discovered in the mountain wilderness of southeastern Suriname during an expedition to some of the planet's most remote and unexplored rain forests. "I have conducted expeditions all over the world, but never have I seen such beautiful, pristine forests so untouched by humans," said ant expert Leeanne Alonso, an expedition leader with Global Wildlife Conservation.

—Brian Handwerk

Meet the (New) Beetles

This humble water beetle is not only a new species but also belongs to a new entire genus, or subfamily, previously unknown to science. It's believed that the insect may live only in mountaintop water seeps in southeastern Suriname. During a 2012 expedition, Conservation International's Rapid Assessment Program (RAP) team found more than two dozen new species of water beetles—an encouraging indicator of the pure, high-quality water found in this remote region. The discovery team has just published the new species findings.

Palumeu River Rolls Under Stormy Skies

Turbulent storm clouds mirror the roiling rapids of the Palumeu River. The RAP team surveyed the remote upper reaches of this watershed, home to many unique species and also the source of Suriname's largest rivers, including the Palumeu. These rivers deliver vital freshwater to downstream communities like Kampu, seen here. The water not only quenches thirst, but is also critical for agriculture, transportation, sanitation, and even energy production.

Nighttime Dining for Wolf Spider: Poison-Dart Frog

This incredible image shows a wolf spider displaying the ravenous appetite of its namesake mammal as it devours a toxic poison-dart frog. Though neither species is new to science, the predator-prey tableau provided a striking sight when discovered during a night walk. And while things didn't work out well for this individual frog, the RAP team was cheered by the discovery of six new frog species during the expedition—noteworthy because so many others have gone extinct over the past 30 years. (Related: "African Clawed Frog Spreads Deadly Amphibian Fungus.")

Opossum Spotted by Scientists

The delicate slender opossum (Marmosops parvidens) darts through the treetops in search of fruit and insects. Scientists discovered an amazing 39 new species of small mammals on the expedition, including rats, bats, and opossums, which promote forest health and growth by eating and dispersing seeds. Suriname is part of South America's vast Guiana Shield wilderness, home to more than 25 percent of Earth's rain forest. The sparsely populated nation maintains an incredible 95 percent of its forest cover.

Planthopper Strands Fool Predators

It's tough to tell which end of this tiny planthopper is which—and that's likely just what is intended by its unusual appearance. Many planthoppers, like this one, exude long strands of waxy secretions from their abdomens. They may fool predators into harmlessly striking this "breakaway" feature so that the insect may escape unharmed. (Related: "Insects Use Gears in Hind Legs to Jump.")

Dung Beetles Bring Ecological Benefits

The largest of South America's dung beetles, Coprophanaeus lancifer, actually eats a varied diet—it feasts more frequently on dead animals than on dung. During the process the insects can quickly bury even a large carcass, hastening the processes of decay and regrowth essential to the health of the rain forest. While not new to science, this species is unusual in that both males and females sport long horns on their heads that are used during battles with others of the same sex.

Fearsome Fruit Bat Teeth Scary Only to Fruit

By stringing fine-meshed nets through trees, scientists snared 28 new species of bat in the remote rain forests of southeastern Suriname. The most abundant species, however, was this previously known larger fruit-eating bat (Artibeus planirostris). As its name suggests, the bat uses its fearsome-looking teeth to feast exclusively on fruits.

Shy Cat Struts Before Dawn

The margay,Leopardus wiedii, isn't new to science, but it's rarely observed at close quarters. Bird-watching scientists spotted this shy cat near dawn—at a distance of just 13 feet (4 meters). The margay is adapted to live in the trees, unlike most cats, and prowls aloft to hunt birds, rodents, and even monkeys. (Related: "Jungle Cat Mimics Monkey to Lure Prey—A First.")

River Flood Doesn't Deter Scientists

Ecologist and RAP director Trond Larsen stands in floodwater at a riverside camp that, due to unusually strong and persistent rains, was inundated by the waters of the Upper Palumeu. The team relocated and persevered because the area is too important to ignore. "Suriname is one of the last places where an opportunity still exists to conserve massive tracts of untouched forest and pristine rivers where biodiversity is thriving," Larsen said. "Ensuring the preservation of these ecosystems is not only vital for the Surinamese people, but may help the world to meet its growing demand for food and water as well as reducing the impacts of climate change."